As the summer heats up so does the need for a bit or spice. Including a variety of spices such as red pepper flakes and cayenne along with fresh peppers such as chili, Serrano and habanero peppers can give you that extra boost of energy. According to a recent study from Australia’s University of Tasmania, people who added a significant amount of spices and peppers to their diets have experienced maintaining steadier blood sugar levels throughout the afternoon than those who didn’t spice up their meals.

Grammy award winning artist Rihanna is one celebrity that adheres to this supplement in her daily diet. A native of Barbados, Rihanna stays true to her Caribbean heritage by influencing her diet with including this simple ingredient, a known staple in traditional Caribbean foods. The inclusion of peppers in one’s daily nutritional plan is a benefit as a substance in peppers called capsaicin helps metabolize food, making it readily available to the body as energy. One of Rihanna’s spicy favorites is chicken curry and bajan soup, which she eats often before a show to increase energy levels. The peppers included in this recipe speeds up the metabolism and fills you up faster. To get a head start on your pepper consumption, check out Rihanna’s chicken curry and bajan soup recipe below.

Chef Ameera’s recipe for curry chicken:

In a large skillet on medium heat, sauté 1 chopped medium yellow onion in 2 tbsp. olive oil for about 2 minutes. Add 3 cloves chopped garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Add 3 boneless chicken breasts (cubed), and sauté until cooked through, then mix in 1 large white potato (cubed), ½ tbsp. roasted curry powder and enough chicken broth (about 2 14-oz. cans) to cover the mixture. Reduce heat and simmer about 30 minutes, until potatoes are tender and broth has reduced. Add 1½ tbsp. curry powder, and salt, pepper and Bajan seasoning* to taste. Remove from heat and add 2 tbsp. coconut milk. Serves 4.

Recipe for Bajan Seasoning

1 bunch green onions
8-10 Scotch Bonnet or Habanero Peppers
1 medium onion
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 celery stalk
4 garlic cloves
1 bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, stemmed
3 sprigs fresh marjoram, stemmed
Juice of 4 limes
½ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt & Pepper

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Process in blender until smooth and refrigerate.

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